Pastor Rich’s Testimony

I was baptized in water later on in my mid teens, but there wasn’t anyone there to “follow-up” with me. Where was I going with my walk with the Lord, and I wanted more, and didn’t even know it.

Little do we know when we aren’t saved what God is doing in our lives. But after we get saved and are born again, we have time to look back and reflect on what took place in our lives, and NOW we realize it was God!

I was in Viet Nam in 1967-69. Looking back boy did God really work in my life. Two major things happened over there, and I know God had His hand in them both. First was the time a good friend of mine and I flipped a coin to see who was going to pull guard duty at the front gate, and who was going out with the Lt. In the jeep. Nobody wanted the guard duty for 8 – 10 hours, so Charlie said let’s flip a coin. Something told me to call heads, and I did, but did I win or loose? I did end up with the guard duty. I can relate to calling Heads now, because in I Corinthians 11:3 Paul tells us that he wants us to know that “the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.” God made me choose heads that day, to let me know that “the head of every man is Christ.”

 Charlie “won” and got to take the Lt out in the jeep. About an hour later, the artillery started flying towards one of the villages, and several armored vehicles left the firebase, to pick up the jeep which had just hit a land mine. Charlie went home to be with the Lord that day.

I knew he was a believer, because that was what he talked about quite a bit.

I was there for almost a year and a half, and towards the end of my time there (only three weeks left), I had to go out on one last recon patrol. Two days later, out in the middle of nowhere, we had to meet a helicopter which was to take me back to the firebase, pack everything, and start heading home.

Nobody knew why I “had to get out” so fast, and almost three weeks early. They just said “rush orders” came from headquarters, and every “headquarters” I went to on my way home, nobody knew anything about it. They couldn’t tell me if one of my parents had passed away, or what the emergency was. I went to the head of every line to get processed out.

 My parents were sure surprised to see me walking up the driveway ahead of time. I took my 30 day leave, and went to Fort Knox to my next duty station. Got to talking to the Captain there, and he asked where I had been and doing what and with who…the standard stuff. I told him, and he said “no way” I couldn’t have been.

 It seems that about three days after that helicopter picked me out of the jungle, the rest of my recon patrol were wiped out. All were killed. God sure must have had plans for me, and at that time, I had no idea what He was doing in my life.

 It wasn’t until later in my life, after I met my wife Beth, that I started attending church on a regular basis once again. Really started getting involved with activities, and became closer and closer to God. My prayer life started to increase dramatically, as did my bible studies, which in turn increased my witnessing to others. 

Yes, God had a plan for my life, and I still hadn’t realized it!! God used complete strangers to see me in a Christian book store, and a few would ask if I was a Pastor. He used friends who were close to me, who told me I should go into the ministry…to teach and help others.

God had been talking to me in several different ways, when I was younger and I didn’t even realize it. God was putting it on the table, and I was eating it up. I knew about God, but I didn’t really know God.

 Then, in 1994, Beth and I were at a weekend meeting, and we were at the Sunday morning service. We were listening to the powerful born again speakers they had there for the day, and not really looking forward to our 8 hour drive home that afternoon. Then things changed, and it seemed that all I could hear was that altar call. Asking if we wanted our sins forgiven, realize that we are sinners, and to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, to rededicate our lives to the Lord if we were already Christians. Beth and I both went forward that day and rededicated our lives to Jesus.

 I really started “hearing God’s voice “ , listening to Him, and obeying His word. I am sure that I missed some of the things He was telling me, and made some mistakes, but God is a forgiving God.

 My life really started to change from that point forward. Opportunities came around for me to continue with college, taking classes to continue my ministry endeavors, and I didn’t even know what for sure what God was going to have that be!! I had some major surgery in 1999, and through the prayer of everyone around me, God did some miraculous healing. He didn’t allow the devil to take me during surgery…He had some different plans for me. That was the third time God saved me from satan. God guided the surgeon’s hands, and brought me through, to continue to serve Him, and witness for Him.

 Being led to the right places and people, I continued to take more classes and areas of study for God’s ministry, which He was leading me towards. From Spiritual Warfare to in-depth studies on Daniel, from church administration to just spending more time with God, and giving Him all the glory, for all of the blessing He has given to us. 

 Living for God’s glory is the greatest thing we can accomplish with our lives. It tells us that in I Chron 16:24 “Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all peoples; Psalms 29:1 “Ascribe to the Lord, O sons of the mighty, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.”, 66:2 “Sing forth the honor and glory of His name; make His praise glorious.” 96:7 “Ascribe to the Lord O you families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.” and in 2 Cor 3:18 “And ALL of us, as with unveiled face, continued to behold, as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

We are commanded to recognize His glory, We are commanded to honor His glory, We are commanded to declare His glory, We are commanded to praise His glory, We are commanded to reflect His glory and We are commanded live for His glory.

 He has blessed me with mentors, whom I continually meet with. Also with ongoing classes and teachings to enhance the ministry He has blessed me with. I have the privilege to be involved with teaching and mentoring on line with Authentic Walk Ministries, out of Canada. I have also worked closely with the Pastor at Authentic Walk and did an eight week bible study on the Lord’s Prayer, which was published weekly on the internet. Along with conducting Home Groups and Bible studies, I have been blessed with being able to give messages, not only at our church, but at other area churches.

I am an avid fisherman, which has given me lots of contacts with others and being able to witness to them. I give thanks to God for each fish I catch, and each bite I get, and even when I miss the fish. And even when I don’t get a bite, I give thanks, why? I’m glad you asked.

Turn to I Thessalonians 5:16-18; “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, (not just when we want to, or whenever things go our way, but in ALL circumstances) Why?? “for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 

Some people we witness to need to “see” things more than others, so they can better understand that God is doing the work and not us. I was fishing one time and it was pretty windy, a bit chilly, and cloudy, just the opposite of what was predicted. I got my fishing stuff out of the car and went to fish and was told by another person that not even a bite for almost two hours. I was fishing white fish, and raising my pole slowly up and down.  Shortly after I arrived God just told me to raise both hands towards Him. Now keep in mind I was standing right next to this guy. So I did as God instructed me, and prayed that the sun would come out and the winds die down as was predicted. I prayed that the man would be able to catch fish for his family. I gave Him thanks, and within 5 mins, the sun came out, the wind died down and it was only a couple of minutes later he had his first fish, then another.

 Now this is the time I usually stick around, but for some reason God just had me pack up my things and go home, just as if He was telling me Math 25:21 “…well done, my good and faithful servant.” It was just as if He sent me there for one thing, and when I was done, He sent me home.

Isaiah 60:19-21 The sun shall no longer be your light by day. Nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you;

But the Lord will be to you an everlasting light, And your God your glory.

20. Your sun shall no longer go down, Not shall your moon withdraw itself; For the Lord will be your everlasting light, And the days of your mourning shall be ended.

21. Also your people shall all be righteous; They shall inherit the land forever, The branch of My planting, The work of My hands, That I may be glorified.

 Looking back, God was calling me into the ministry when I was just entering High School. I was in the choir at church, ushering, helping out with the service itself, and attending bible studies. He was calling me, and I didn’t even know it!

 I often wonder how many times God has tried to talk to me and I didn’t hear Him. What did I miss by not hearing Him. I’m glad He didn’t give up on me.